Dueling Trayvon Martin protests collide in River Oaks

Merging of supporters, opponents of Florida verdict ends peacefully

Updated 1:58 pm, Monday, July 22, 2013

Before a Sunday evening march into River Oaks became a collision between supporters and opponents of the not-guilty verdict awarded to George Zimmerman, dozens gathered at a Fourth Ward park to remember Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

Members of the crowd at Wiley Park hugged and held signs painted with the word "Justice" marked through with a thick red line. Others wore black T-shirts that read, "KNOW JUSTICE. KNOW PEACE." The letters "NO" were printed in red rather than white.

Activist Quanell X, who organized the rally and march, asked the crowd to clear the way for 8-year-old Gabby North. He lifted her atop a picnic table and explained she had written a song.

"Do they know of the hearts they are breaking?" she sang through a loud speaker. "Do they know of the lives they are taking? Do they know black or white we are precious in his eyes. We are one, we are one."

The diverse crowd nodded along with North's lyrics, and some shouted agreement as the girl sang. People gathered closer as Quanell X stepped up onto the table.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Led by activist Quanell X nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Led by activist Quanell X nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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A police officer attempts to help a woman who got her hand caught in the harness of a horse as nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

A police officer attempts to help a woman who got her hand caught in the harness of a horse as nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Activist Quanell X and others are pushed back by police and told to get onto the sidewalk as nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Activist Quanell X and others are pushed back by police and told to get onto the sidewalk as nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Protesters and police were in River Oaks on Sunday in response to the George Zimmerman verdict.

Protesters and police were in River Oaks on Sunday in response to the George Zimmerman verdict.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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A protestors holds sign as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

A protestors holds sign as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Led by activist Quanell X nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Led by activist Quanell X nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 26

Protesters and police were in River Oaks on Sunday in response to the George Zimmerman verdict.

Protesters and police were in River Oaks on Sunday in response to the George Zimmerman verdict.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Protestors hold signs up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Protestors hold signs up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marcher holds a sign as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marcher holds a sign as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marcher carries a sign as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marcher carries a sign as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers wait at an intersection as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers wait at an intersection as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group hold a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers are held back by Houston Police officers as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers are held back by Houston Police officers as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to a march ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers are held back by Houston Police officers as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Houston community activist Quanell X lead group marchers are held back by Houston Police officers as protestors from the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to a march ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Cameron Belcher plays a mandolin as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Cameron Belcher plays a mandolin as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Nolan Fox holds a sign United States flag as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Nolan Fox holds a sign United States flag as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Matthew Bowman holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Matthew Bowman holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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A protestor holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

A protestor holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Kenneth Joslin holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community to protest a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Kenneth Joslin holds a sign up as the G. Zimmerman River Oaks Stand Your Ground group holds a counter demonstration to Houston community activist Quanell X lead group march a march in the River Oaks community ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Crista Clark shows her support as nearly 1,000 people protested in the River Oaks community protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Crista Clark shows her support as nearly 1,000 people protested in the River Oaks community protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Nearly 1,000 people protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ih the River Oaks community on the corner of W. Gray and Shepherd Streets Sunday, ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Victoria Alexander shows her support as nearly 1,000 people proteated in the River Oaks community protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Victoria Alexander shows her support as nearly 1,000 people proteated in the River Oaks community protested against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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The National Black United Front.

The National Black United Front.

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Protestors hold up signs at the River Oaks protest.

Protestors hold up signs at the River Oaks protest.

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Nearly 1,000 protestors gathered on Del Monte Dr. in the River Oaks community to protest against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Nearly 1,000 protestors gathered on Del Monte Dr. in the River Oaks community to protest against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Nearly 1,000 protestors gathered on Del Monte Dr. in the River Oaks community to protest against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in Houston. less

Nearly 1,000 protestors gathered on Del Monte Dr. in the River Oaks community to protest against a Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin Sunday, July 21, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Dueling Trayvon Martin protests collide in River Oaks

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"To be honest with you, we don't give a damn about anybody supporting George Zimmerman and gunning down a child," Quanell X said as he prepared the crowd to march down West Gray into River Oaks.

He pointed to the sky and said, "Now let's quickly pray and let's mount up!"

Counter protest

Roughly two miles away, nearly 80 people gathered at the corner of Shepherd of West Gray for a counter protest.

Except for cheers that erupted when a passing driver gave a thumbs up, the group chatted quietly and shared water jugs as they waited more than two hours for Quanell X to lead the march past them.

An equal number of weekend shoppers curious about the protesters loitered in parking lots across the street. Dozens of police officers on foot, bike and horseback watched the crowds and guided traffic.

"What's my excuse then?" Mark Medina, a Hispanic Marine, said to Travis McVay, a white oil field safety worker, as she passed.

"To me, justice was served," Medina said of the case, which he felt went to trial because government and media focused on racial tensions more than the evidence. The Houston man said Martin's death was "tragic" but understandable in a self-defense situation.

McVay agreed, echoing many others at the protest as he questioned the location choice for the march.

"I don't think there's any reason they should have picked River Oaks to stage their protest," the Gonzales resident said. "If you want to improve your community, do it in your community."

Quanell X previously had called the upscale neighborhood "Houston's Sanford, Florida," the neighborhood where Martin was killed.

Remember grocery bag

Gary Castille, 50, was among those who echoed the activists at the park, remembering what his parents told him as a child.

"I would get in trouble if I came home without a grocery bag," Castille tearfully said. "Even if I just bought one thing - a black man just didn't walk home without a grocery bag."

People gathered at the counter-protest were quick to point out that River Oaks is wealthier, whiter and has fewer reported crimes than Sanford, which they said hardly makes it a fair comparison.

Aaron Schutte, who helped organize the counter-protest on Facebook, suggested Quanell X was the one with racist motives. He pointed to a quote from the activist during a 1999 protest against the execution of a convicted black murderer.

"If you feel that you just got to mug somebody because of your hurt and your pain, go to River Oaks and mug you some good white folks," Quanell X was quoted saying at the time. He later explained he only meant it to incite the affluent, older generation to action, not to scare anyone or encourage crime.

"All Quanell X does within the black community is revive racism," Terri Bowman explained to a marcher who stopped to talk to her and other counter-protesters.

"I would love to speak to Quanell about that," Irma Green said. "This is not about race. This is about justice. For all humanity."

'Hard team sticks'

Mounted police followed the march along West Gray, instructing protesters to stay on the sidewalk.

As the march neared Shepherd, both demonstrations erupted in shouts with signs and hands waving in the air.

Police officers from a specially trained crowd-containment unit carried 3-foot "hard team sticks," but never had to pull them because most protesters listened when directed to stay out of the street.

Marchers pushed against the police line as they walked and chanted, "No justice! No peace!"

Many counter-protesters silently leaned forward with signs and American flags, but some shouted back, "Go home racists!"

Schutte heard members of the chanting group say they wanted to cross the street and stand face-to-face with the other protesters.

"Don't do that, man," Schutte told them. The men crossed anyway, walking and yelling on the south sidewalk as the marchers organized by Quanell X walked west on the north side.

"We wanted to be heard, but not be confrontational," Schutte said, who explained that his motivation for standing hours in Sunday's heat was to oppose the "racism of the New Black Panther Party."

As the group waited for the marchers to loop back, River Oaks resident Maxine Merryman asked Kenneth Watkins, one of the few African-Americans standing near the counter-protesters, if he wanted a sign.

Watkins, who pulled over after being curious about the crowd, read Merryman's sign: "7 children murdered in Chicago during Zimmerman trial #Justice4Them?"

"I do," he said. "More than seven have died."

Merryman said she couldn't believe the demonstration was happening at all.

"I thought we were over this and we were getting along fine," she said, referencing racial tensions.

Watkins said Quanell X does not speak for all Houston African-Americans.

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